Monte Carlo Calculations for Nucleon Systems

Arizona State University, Scottsdale AZ

Investigators

Abstract

This project will develop methods to calculate the properties of nuclei and nuclear matter by solving the Schroedinger equation for nucleons interacting via realistic two- and three-body potentials. Quantum Monte Carlo techniques are used. The nucleon positions are sampled using diffusion Monte Carlo while the spin and isospin degrees of freedom are sampled by the addition of auxiliary fields. Successful completion of this work will allow us to verify the accuracy of the nuclear Hamiltonian by reproducing and comparing to experimental results, and then to predict the properties of nuclei that are currently difficult or impossible to produce and measure in the laboratory. These data are needed to understand, for example, astrophysically important systems and processes such as neutron rich matter and r-process nucleosynthesis. Broader impacts of this work include development of quantum many-particle methods that can be applied to problems in a variety of other fields such as electronic structure and cold atomic gases. The project will train both undergraduate and graduate students, give them exposure at national and international conferences, and provide for dissemination of the results.